Method and apparatus for packaging compact discs for portable storage

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for packaging compact discs for portable storage. A walled enclosure is provided, the walled enclosure having a floor and a wall enclosing an extremity of the floor. A compact disc storage plate adaptable for holding a compact disc is also provided. The compact disc storage plate is pivotally mounted within the walled enclosure. The walled enclosure may have a floor with a floor recess adaptable for holding a first compact disc and a wall enclosing the extremity of the floor, the floor having hinge slots therethrough adjacent the wall. A compact disc storage plate may also be provided having a plate recess adaptable for holding a second compact disc and having hinge tabs at a plate end. The compact disc storage plate may then be pivotally mounted to the floor at the hinge slots by engaging the hinge tabs into the hinge slots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] The application claims priority to and the benefit of ApplicationNo. 60/350,210 filed on Jan. 18, 2002 in the United States Patent andTrademark Office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of compact disc (CD)packaging, and in particular, CD packaging having a multi-CD portablestorage capacity.

[0003] CDs have become a medium of choice for audio and data recordings.Conventional portable CD storage cases typically store a single CD. Oneprior art single CD storage case, the DiscPak (TM)CD packagemanufactured by CPU, Inc. of Arden, N.C., is seen in simplifiedperspective view in FIG. 1. CD package 10 includes bottom cover 12having a recessed bottom cover floor 14. Bottom cover floor 14 includesa further shallow recess 15 for receiving the CD therein, shown in moredetail in FIG. 17. Top cover 16 is pivotally attached to bottom cover12. Rosette 18 having a plurality of radially extended flexible catchpawls is centered in shallow recess 15. Rosette 18, shown in more detailin FIGS. 15a and 15 b, aligns a standard CD central hole such that theCD can be stored in the shallow recess. A stored CD is removed from theshallow recess by depressing the center of the radially extendedflexible catch pawls to cause the catch pawls to retreat and release theCD. The marketing attractiveness of CD package 10 is its externalappearance having a look/feel comparable to that of a book, whose topcover 16 is similar to that of a book front cover.

[0004] As the capacity of content to be stored on CDs increase, multipleCDs are needed to capture the total content. Accordingly, a need forstorage cases having a multi-CD storage capacity became needed. FIG. 2depicts a prior art multi-CD storage case. CD case 20 includes anintegrally formed foldable cover having a first section 22, a secondsection 24 and a middle section 26. A separation plate 28 is mountedinto middle section 26. First section 22 has a first rosette 30 formedat a center of an inner face thereof for releaseably holding a CD.Similar to the configuration of first section 22, second section 24 hassecond rosette 32 formed at a center of an inner face thereof forreleaseably holding another CD. Plate 28 has third rosette 34 and afourth rosette (not shown) formed at a center of one face and on theother face thereof for holding a third and fourth CD respectively. Plate28 has a plurality of slots 36 formed along one edge for engaging middlesection 26. Plate 28 is inserted into middle section 26 and engagecatching elements (not shown) in middle section 26. When the first coverand second cover are folded inwardly together about middle section 26, aclosed storage case if formed for the four CDs inserted on therespective rosettes. However, this multi-CD (four) storage case islimited to storing only up to four CDs. It also has limited marketingappeal, being close in appearance to that of the standard well-known“jewel” CD case.

[0005] While the prior art may deal with a multi-CD storage case adaptedfor up to four CD storage, it does not address the need for a marketingattractive multi-CD storage package which can accommodate at least fiveCDs being stored therein and which can be included within a mailingwrapped package for mailing using 0.7501″ maximum thickness U.S. PostalService mail rates. The invention as described herein provides a simple,cost effective, easy to install and use multi-CD storage packagesolution to meet such need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A method and apparatus packaging compact discs for portablestorage is provided. A walled enclosure is provided, the walledenclosure having a floor and a wall enclosing an extremity of the floor.A compact disc storage plate adaptable for holding a compact disc isalso provided. The compact disc storage plate is pivotally mountedwithin the walled enclosure.

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a walledenclosure is provided, the walled enclosure having a floor with a floorrecess adaptable for holding a first CD and a wall enclosing theextremity of the floor, the floor having hinge slots therethroughadjacent the wall. A CD storage plate is also provided having a platerecess adaptable for holding a second CD and having hinge tabs at aplate end. The CD storage plate is pivotally mounted to the floor at thehinge slots by engaging the hinge tabs into the hinge slots.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention includes providing asecond CD storage plate having a second plate recess adaptable forholding a third CD and having second plate hinge tabs at a second plateend. Second hinge slots through the floor are also provided, the secondhinge slots being located adjacent the wall. The second CD storage plateis pivotally mounted to the floor at the second hinge slots by engagingthe second hinge tabs into the second hinge slots.

[0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, thehinge slots each provide an access to a surface below the adjacent wallbelow the floor. The hinge tabs each include a hinge tab insert tip forguiding a hinge tab into a hinge slot. The hinge tab insert tip has anarc surface extending to a first shoulder. The arc surface upon hingetab insertion flexes the adjacent wall from a relaxed wall position toan outwardly flexed wall position. The first shoulder engages thesurface below the adjacent wall below the floor upon insertion of thefirst shoulder through the hinge slot and the adjacent wall returningfrom the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxed wall position.Disengagement of the pivotally attached CD support plate from the flooris thereby prevented. The hinge tabs each further include a second arcsurface extending from the first shoulder to a tapered second shoulder.The second arc surface, upon a moving of an inserted CD support plate toa position generally perpendicular to the floor, flexes the adjacentwall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wall position.The tapered second shoulder engages the surface below the adjacent walland below the floor upon the inserted CD support plate reaching theposition generally perpendicular to the floor and the adjacent wallreturning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxed wallposition. Disengagement of the CD support plate from the positiongenerally perpendicular to the floor is semi-rigidly prevented in theabsence of force applied to the CD support plate.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, theCD storage plate includes a clearance slot therethrough positioned anddimensioned to allow clearance of an adjacent CD storage plate rosettewhen an inserted CD storage plate is layered upon an adjacent insertedCD storage plate or layered upon the floor.

[0011] In accordance with a still further aspect of the presentinvention a plurality of compact disc storage plates are provided, eachcompact disc storage plate being adaptable for holding a compact disc.Each compact disc storage plate is pivotally mounted within the walledenclosure.

[0012] In another further aspect of the present invention the walledenclosure has a floor with a floor recess adaptable for holding a firstCD and a wall enclosing the extremity of the floor. The floor has afirst hinge step adjacent the wall. The first hinge step has first hingeslots through the first hinge step. The floor also has second hingeslots on the floor adjacent the first hinge step. A first CD storageplate is provided having a first plate recess adaptable for holding asecond CD and having first plate hinge tabs at a first plate end. Asecond CD storage plate is provided having a second plate recessadaptable for holding a third CD and having second plate hinge tabs at asecond plate end. The first CD storage plate is pivotally mounted to thefirst hinge step by engaging the first plate hinge tabs into the firsthinge slots. The second CD storage plate is pivotally mounted to thefloor by engaging the second plate hinge tabs into the second hingeslots. A third CD storage plate is provided having a third plate recessadaptable for holding a fourth CD and having third plate hinge tabs at athird plate end. A fourth CD storage plate is provided having a fourthplate recess adaptable for holding a fifth CD and having fourth platehinge tabs at a fourth plate end. A second hinge step is provided. Thesecond hinge step has third hinge slots through the second hinge step.The third hinge slots are located adjacent the wall. Fourth hinge slotsare provided on the floor adjacent the second hinge step. The third CDstorage plate is pivotally mounted to the second hinge step by engagingthe third plate hinge tabs into the third hinge slots. The fourth CDstorage plate is pivotally mounted to the floor by engaging the fourthplate hinge tabs into the fourth hinge slots.

[0013] As such, a book-like CD storage package is provided with means toadd one or more additional CDs to a single book-like CD storage package,thus providing flexibility of packaging without the need to change abasic CD book-like packaging size or shape. The plate inserts are inessence a “snap in” design for easy (and perhaps automated) assembly andhave a catch in the hinge area which keeps the inserts in the full openposition while removing or replacing a CD beneath them. Once in place,the inserts are very difficult to remove and will not come loose duringshipping and handling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a prior art portable CD storage case.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a prior art multi-CD storage case.

[0016]FIG. 3 depicts a general concept of the present invention.

[0017]FIGS. 4a-4 c show a bottom view, top view and side viewrespectively of a CD storage plate in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows details of a hinge tab in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0019]FIGS. 6a-6 c show a bottom view, top view and side viewrespectively of a bottom cover in accordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a simplified embodiment of the present inventionhaving two CD storage plates.

[0021]FIG. 8 shows details of a hinge slot area in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0022]FIGS. 9a-9 c show an assembly sequence of the insertion of a hingetab into a hinge slot in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIGS. 10a-10 c show a pivoting sequence of a CD storage plateinserted in a hinge slot in accordance with the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0025]FIGS. 12a-12 c show a bottom view, top view and side viewrespectively of a bottom cover in accordance with the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 13 shows details of a pair of hinge slots area in accordancewith the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 14 shows a simplified view of multiple CD storage platesinserted and layered upon each other in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0028]FIG. 15 shows details of a typical rosette in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0029]FIG. 16 shows details of a typical CD ejector area in accordancewith the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 17 shows details of a typical bottom cover floor recess areain accordance with the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 18 shows details of a typical CD storage place recess area inaccordance with the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 19 shows a simplified embodiment of an extended rectangularshape bottom cover with multiple CD support plates inserted therein inaccordance with the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 20 shows another embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, there is depicted the general concept of thepresent invention. Prior art CD package 10, as seen in FIG. 1, isadapted to accept CD storage plate 40 which is configured to holdthereon CD 42. CD storage plate 40 is pivotally hinged at end 44 throughbottom cover floor 14 to allow it to swing through arc 46 spanning froma generally horizontal position adjacent to bottom cover floor 14 to aposition generally perpendicular to bottom cover floor 14.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4a-4 c, there is depicted a bottom view, topview and side view respectively of CD storage plate 40. CD storage plate40, formed by typical ejection-molding a semi-flexible plastic, such aspolystyrene, and dimensioned as shown in FIGS. 4a-4 c, has a radial end52 and an opposite straight end 54. One surface, shown in FIG. 4b, has arecess area 48, shown in more detail in FIG. 18, which is a section viewC-C of FIG. 4 b, and rosette 50, which are comparable in function torecess 15 and rosette 18 depicted in FIG. 1, for accepting and holdingin place a CD to be inserted onto CD storage plate 40 for storage withinCD package 10 in addition to a CD which is storable in recess 15 ofbottom cover floor 14. CD storage plate 40 includes a pair of hinge tabs56, shown in more detail in FIG. 5. CD storage plate 40 also includesslotted through-hole 58 which is dimensioned and located to provide aclearance hole for an adjacent rosette when the storage plate is loweredto its generally horizontal position. This enables tighter layering ofCD storage plates by avoiding interference between the CD storage plateand an adjacent layer's rosette or floor rosette. CD storage plate 40also may include one or more typical CD ejector recesses 60, shown inmore detail in FIG. 16 to allow a finger grip of the edge of a stored CDto easier removal of the CD from the respective rosette and recess.

[0036] Referring to area 62 of FIG. 4c, there is shown and dimensionedin FIG. 5 more detail of hinge tab 56. Hinge tab 56 protrudes fromstraight end 54 at connection area 51 and includes insert tip 63. Inserttip 63 is formed at a junction of insert taper surface 64 and insert arcsurface 66. Insert arc surface 66 ends at remove prevention edge stop68. Pivot facilitation arc surface 70 joins remove prevention edge stop68 with vertical lock support taper surface 72.

[0037] Referring briefly to FIGS. 6a-6 c, there is shown and dimensionedbottom cover 12, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, adapted for accepting eitherone or two CD storage plates 40 into bottom cover floor 14, e.g., one CDstorage plate 40 being pivotally attachable at end 80, and another CDstorage plate 40 being pivotally attachable at end 82. Slots “A”, two atend 80 and two at end 82, accept hinge tabs 56 of a CD storage plate 40.FIG. 7 shows the embodiment with two CD storage plates 40 a, 40 b beingpivotally attached, each holding a respective CD 42 a, 42 b, each beingable to swing through a respective arc 46 a, 46 b. Bottom cover floor 14holds CD 42 c in the recess therein. When CD storage plate 40 b is swunginto a generally horizontal position relative to cover floor 14, it liesupon and partially covers CD 42 c. In turn, when CD storage plate 40 ais swung into a generally horizontal position relative to cover floor14, it lies upon and partially covers CD 42 b. In essence, a stacking ofthe CD support plates within the walls of bottom cover 12 occurs.

[0038] Turning back to FIGS. 6a-6 c, bottom cover floor 14 is formed bytypical ejection-molding using a semi-flexible plastic, such aspolystyrene, with support ribs 84 being formed on the side oppositerecess 15. Rosette 18 is situated within recess 15 for accepting a CDfor storage thereon. A representative slot “A” area and dimensioningthereof are shown in more detail in FIG. 8, an enlargement of area 90 ofend 82 seen in FIG. 6c and section A-A in FIG. 6a. Slot thru “A” isprovided adjacent wall 94 in a tapered down 0.010″ thickness portion 96of bottom cover floor 14. Typical 13° taper 93 provides clearance forthe hinge tab when CD storage plate is in a perpendicular lock position,as will be seen and described in conjunction with FIG. 10c below. Rib 84provides support for bottom cover floor 14. Wall 94 includes wall catchsurface 98, typically a 0.020″ minimum surface.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 9a-9 c, a depiction is provided of theassembly sequence, typically via automatic assembly-line manufacturingmachine, of hinge tab 56 of CD storage plate 40 being inserted into slot“A” of bottom cover floor 14. In FIG. 9a, hinge tab 56 is depicted justas insert tip 63 is progressing into slot A. In FIG. 9b, as insert tip63 proceeds through slot A, insert arc surface 66 displaces flexibleplastic wall 94 adjacent the slot A. In FIG. 9c, as the front portion ofhinge tab 56 is fully inserted through slot A, remove prevention edgestop 68 catches on wall catch surface 98 when wall 94 returns back toits pre-flexed state. When a tandem pair of hinge tabs 56 are fullyinserted CD storage plate 40 is secured at its end on bottom floor 14.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 10a-10 c, the pivoting of a CD storageplate 40 from a generally horizontal position after insertion, e.g., atypical “CD stored” state, to a generally perpendicular state, to allowaccess to a lower stacked CD or cover floor stored CD, is depicted. FIG.10a shows CD storage plate 40 fully inserted through slot A and restingon bottom floor 14 (comparable to a fully inserted state as depicted inFIG. 9c). In FIG. 10b, CD storage plate 40 is manually moved through arc46 wherein pivot facilitation arc surface 70 forces wall 94 to flex. InFIG. 10c, CD storage plate 40 is locked into a perpendicular positionwhen pivot facilitation arc surface 70 passes wall catch surface 98 suchthat vertical lock support taper surface 72 catches wall catch surface98 when wall 94 returns back to its pre-flexed state. Vertical locksupport taper surface 72 is tapered at 30° to provide a firm, semi-stiffbut smooth locking—unlocking capability by manual force applied to CDsupport plate 40, in lieu of a rigid locking 90° junction as is providedby remove prevention edge stop 68 for keeping CD storage plate 40pivotally attached to bottom cover floor 14. The locking of the CDstorage plate at 90° allows it to stay in place and facilitate removalof a CD located in a lower layer CD storage plate, or bottom cover floorrecess.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the presentinvention is provided. Rather than having merely a single CD storageplate 40 for storably holding CD 42 and being pivotally hinged to swingthrough arc 46 at one end of bottom cover floor 14, a second CD storageplate 100 is provided to pivotally swing through arc 102. Bottom coverfloor 14 has one end built up to provide hinge step 104 for engaging asecond CD storage plate 100. A comparable hinge step 106 is similarlybuilt up at the opposite end of bottom cover floor 14 for comparablyengaging a further CD storage plate (not shown), much like that seen inFIG. 7.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 12a-12 c, there is shown and dimensionedbottom cover 12 as seen adapted in FIGS. 6a-6 c, but further adapted toaccommodate hinge steps 104, 106. Walls 110, 112 are lengthened toaccommodate the additional CD support plates to be inserted withinbottom cover 12. Rather than one pair of slots “A” being provided ateach end as seen in FIGS. 6a-6 c, two pairs of slots “B” are provided ateach end as seen in FIGS. 12a-12 c. A representative slot “B” area 114and dimensioning thereof are shown in more detail in FIG. 13, anenlargement of area 114 seen in FIG. 12c and section B-B in FIG. 12a.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown in cutaway section view adepiction of the embodiment utilizing bottom cover 12 adapted toaccommodate hinge steps wherein five CDs are stored utilizing a pair ofCD storage plates inserted at each end of bottom cover 12, only one ofthe comparable two ends being shown in the cutaway section view. FirstCD 120 is located in recess 15. CD storage plate 122 has its hinge tab124 inserted into a slot B in bottom cover floor 14. CD storage plate126 is inserted into a comparable slot B in bottom cover floor 14 at theend opposite (not shown) to that where hinge tab 124 is inserted, suchthat in its generally horizontal pivot position of CD storage plate 126lies stacked upon CD storage plate 122. CD storage plate 130 has itshinge tab 132 inserted into a slot B in hinge step 106 of bottom coverfloor 14. CD storage plate 134 is inserted into a comparable slot B inbottom cover floor at the end opposite (not shown) to that where hingetab 132 is inserted, such that in the generally horizontal pivotposition of CD storage plate 134 it lies stacked upon CD storage plate130. Accordingly, this embodiment provides for the pivotal stacking offive CDs in a 0.685 area. Therefore, with a top cover 16 (as seen inFIG. 1) typically of three thicknesses of 0.018″ card stock, utilizedwith the 0.685 wall thickness bottom cover floor adapted with hingesteps in addition to any such card stock applied to bottom cover 12, afive-CD package can readily meet the 0.750″ maximum package size postalservice mailing rate.

[0044] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that, while severalembodiments of the present invention has been described, variousalternatives can be utilized to practice the invention. For example,while embodiments providing for up to four CD storage plates have beenshown, the dimensions of the bottom cover floor can be expanded inlength, width and height to accommodate further hinge steps allowing forfurther layering of CD storage plates within the bottom cover.Additional hinge steps could be built upon lower steps in a staircasefashion. While the slots and hinge steps have been shown at two opposingends, slots and hinge steps could also be provided at one or both of thesides of the bottom floor. Various size slots and hinge tabs forinsertion therein can be provided. While slots and tabs form the hingein the embodiments described herein, other hinge mechanisms arepossible. The material forming the CD storage plate and/or the bottomcover floor can be made from various semi-flexible plastics in additionto polystyrene described herein, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, orthe like. Further, the embodiments described and shown herein include agenerally rectangular CD package, simulating the appearance of a book.However, the CD package can be of other shapes, such as square orextended rectangle, provided the surface area within the shape is largeenough to enclose one or more pivotally mountable CD storage platesshaped to accommodate a CD. FIG. 19 depicts in simplified form anextended rectangle walled enclosure 200, wherein CD storage plates 202,204, 206 are installed therein coupling their respective hinge tabs tothe floor of walled enclosure 200. As can be seen, CD storage plates arepivotally mounted along the long walls of rectangular enclosure 200,while CD storage plate 206 is pivotally mounted along a short wall ofrectangular enclosure 200. FIG. 20 depicts another embodiment of thepresent invention wherein storage for five CDs are depicted, one beingstored in the floor and four others being stored in respective storageplates, in addition to top cover 16 having the ability to have one ormore cover panels, one panel 250 being shown as an example. The coverpanel(s) can include additional text, graphics, photographs and the likefor depicting the contents of the CDs being stored therein.

1. A method of packaging compact discs for portable storage comprising:providing a walled enclosure, the walled enclosure having a floor and awall enclosing an extremity of the floor; providing a compact discstorage plate adaptable for holding a compact disc; and pivotallymounting the compact disc storage plate within the walled enclosure. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: pivotally mounting thecompact disc storage plate within the walled enclosure by a hingejoining an edge of the compact disc storage plate with an interiorsurface within the walled enclosure.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: the floor being adaptable for holding a first compact discand having hinge slots through the floor adjacent the wall; the compactdisc storage plate being adaptable for holding a second compact disc andhaving hinge tabs at a plate end; and the compact disc storage platebeing mounted to the floor at the hinge slots by engaging the hinge tabsinto the hinge slots.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:providing a second compact disc storage plate being adaptable forholding a third compact disc and having second plate hinge tabs at asecond plate end; providing second hinge slots through the floor, thesecond hinge slots being located adjacent the wall; and pivotallymounting the second compact disc storage plate to the floor at thesecond hinge slots by engaging the second hinge tabs into the secondhinge slots, the second compact disc storage plate being layerable overthe first compact disc plate.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein: thehinge slots each provide an access to a surface below the adjacent wallbelow the floor; and the hinge tabs each include a hinge tab insert tipfor guiding a hinge tab into a hinge slot, the hinge tab insert tiphaving an arc surface extending to a first shoulder, the arc surfaceupon hinge tab insertion flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxed wallposition to an outwardly flexed wall position, the first shoulderengaging the surface below the adjacent wall below the floor uponinsertion of the first shoulder through the hinge slot and the adjacentwall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxedwall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotally attachedcompact disc support plate from the floor.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the hinge tabs each further include a second arc surfaceextending from the first shoulder to a tapered second shoulder, thesecond arc surface, upon a moving of an inserted compact disc supportplate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor, flexing theadjacent wall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wallposition, the tapered second shoulder engaging the surface below theadjacent wall and below the floor upon the inserted compact disc supportplate reaching the position generally perpendicular to the floor and theadjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to therelaxed wall position and semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of thecompact disc support plate from the position generally perpendicular tothe floor in the absence of force applied to the compact disc supportplate.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the compact disc storage plateincludes a clearance slot therethrough positioned and dimensioned toallow clearance of an adjacent compact disc storage plate rosette whenan inserted compact disc storage plate is layered upon an adjacentinserted compact disc storage plate or is layered upon the floor.
 8. Amethod of packaging compact discs for portable storage, comprising:providing a walled enclosure, the walled enclosure having a floor and awall enclosing an extremity of the floor; providing a plurality ofcompact disc storage plates, each compact disc storage plate beingadaptable for holding a compact disc; and pivotally mounting eachcompact disc storage plate within the walled enclosure.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein each compact storage plate is pivotally moveable to aposition within the walled enclosure such that a second compact discstorage plate is layered upon a first compact disc storage plate, athird compact disc storage plate is layered upon the second compact discstorage, a fourth compact disc storage plate is layered upon the thirdcompact disc storage plate, and so forth.
 10. The method of claim 8,further comprising: pivotally mounting each compact disc storage platewithin the walled enclosure by a hinge joining an edge of the compactdisc storage plate with an interior surface within the walled enclosure.11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: the floor being adaptablefor holding a first compact disc and having a first hinge step adjacentthe wall, the first hinge step having first hinge slots through thefirst hinge step, the floor also having second hinge slots on the flooradjacent the hinge step; providing a first compact disc storage plateadaptable for holding a second compact disc and having first plate hingetabs at a first plate end; providing a second compact disc storage plateadaptable for holding a third compact disc and having second plate hingetabs at a second plate end; pivotally mounting the first compact discstorage plate to the first hinge step by engaging the first plate hingetabs into the first hinge slots; and pivotally mounting the secondcompact disc storage plate to the floor by engaging the second platehinge tabs into the second hinge slots.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising: providing a third compact disc storage plateadaptable for holding a fourth compact disc and having third plate hingetabs at a third plate end; providing a fourth compact disc storage plateadaptable for holding a fifth compact disc and having fourth plate hingetabs at a fourth plate end; providing a second hinge step, the secondhinge step having third hinge slots through the second hinge step, thethird hinge slots being located adjacent the wall; providing fourthhinge slots on the floor adjacent the second hinge step; pivotallymounting the third compact disc storage plate to the second hinge stepby engaging the third plate hinge tabs into the third hinge slots; andpivotally mounting the fourth compact disc storage plate to the floor byengaging the fourth plate hinge tabs into the fourth hinge slots. 13.The method of claim 11, wherein: the first hinge slots each provide anaccess to a surface below the adjacent wall below the first hinge step;the second hinge slots each provide an access to a surface below thefirst hinge step and below the floor; the first hinge tabs each includea first hinge tab insert tip for guiding a first hinge tab into a firsthinge slot, the first hinge tab insert tip having a first hinge tab arcsurface extending to a first hinge tab first shoulder, the first hingetab arc surface upon the first hinge tab insertion flexing the adjacentwall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wall position,the first hinge tab first shoulder engaging the surface below theadjacent wall below the first hinge step upon insertion of the firsthinge tab first shoulder through the first hinge slot and the adjacentwall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxedwall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotally attachedthird compact disc support plate from the first hinge step; and thesecond hinge tabs each include a second hinge tab insert tip for guidingthe second hinge tab into a second hinge slot, the second hinge tabinsert tip having a second hinge tab arc surface extending to a secondhinge tab first shoulder, the second hinge tab arc surface upon thesecond hinge tab insertion flexing an adjacent first hinge step wallfrom a relaxed first hinge step wall position to an outwardly flexedfirst hinge step wall position, the second hinge tab first shoulderengaging the surface below the first hinge step wall below the floorupon insertion of the second hinge tab first shoulder through the secondhinge slot and the adjacent first hinge step wall returning from theoutwardly flexed first hinge step wall position to the relaxed firsthinge step wall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotallyattached second compact disc storage plate from the floor.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the first hinge tabs each further include afirst hinge tab second arc surface extending from the first hinge tabfirst shoulder to a first hinge tab tapered second shoulder, the firsthinge tab second arc surface, upon a moving of an inserted first compactdisc storage plate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor,flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardlyflexed wall position, the first hinge tab tapered second shoulderengaging the surface below the adjacent wall and below the first hingestep upon the inserted first compact disc storage plate reaching theposition generally perpendicular to the floor and the adjacent wallreturning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxed wallposition and semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of the first compactdisc support plate from the position generally perpendicular to thefloor in the absence of force applied to the first compact disc supportplate; and wherein the second hinge tabs each further include a secondhinge tab second arc surface extending from the second hinge tab firstshoulder to a second hinge tab tapered second shoulder, the second hingetab second arc surface, upon a moving of an inserted second compact discstorage plate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor,flexing an adjacent first hinge step wall from a relaxed first hingestep wall position to an outwardly flexed first hinge step wallposition, the second hinge tab tapered second shoulder engaging thesurface below the adjacent first hinge step wall and below the floorupon the inserted second compact disc storage plate reaching theposition generally perpendicular to the floor and the adjacent firsthinge step wall returning from the outwardly flexed first hinge stepwall position to the relaxed first hinge step wall position andsemi-rigidly preventing disengagement of the second compact disc supportplate from the position generally perpendicular to the floor in theabsence of force applied to the second compact disc support plate. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein: the third hinge slots each provide anaccess to a surface below the adjacent wall below the second hinge step;the fourth hinge slots each provide an access to a surface below thesecond hinge step and below the floor; the third hinge tabs each includea third hinge tab insert tip for guiding a third hinge tab into a thirdhinge slot, the third hinge tab insert tip having a third hinge tab arcsurface extending to a third hinge tab first shoulder, the third hingetab arc surface upon the third hinge tab insertion flexing the adjacentwall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wall position,the third hinge tab first shoulder engaging the surface below theadjacent wall below the second hinge step upon insertion of the thirdhinge tab first shoulder through the third hinge slot and the adjacentwall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxedwall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotally attachedthird compact disc support plate from the second hinge step; and thefourth hinge tabs each include a fourth hinge tab insert tip for guidingthe fourth hinge tab into a fourth hinge slot, the fourth hinge tabinsert tip having a fourth hinge tab arc surface extending to a fourthhinge tab first shoulder, the fourth hinge tab arc surface upon thefourth hinge tab insertion flexing an adjacent second hinge step wallfrom a relaxed second hinge step wall position to an outwardly flexedsecond hinged step wall position, the fourth hinge tab first shoulderengaging the surface below the second hinged step wall below the secondhinge step upon insertion of the fourth hinge tab first shoulder throughthe fourth hinge slot and the adjacent second hinge step wall returningfrom the outwardly flexed second hinge step wall position to the relaxedsecond hinge step wall position and preventing disengagement of thepivotally attached fourth compact disc storage plate from the floor. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the third hinge tabs each furtherinclude a third hinge tab second arc surface extending from the thirdhinge tab first shoulder to a third hinge tab tapered second shoulder,the third hinge tab second arc surface, upon a moving of an insertedthird compact disc storage plate to a position generally perpendicularto the floor, flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxed wall position toan outwardly flexed wall position, the third hinge tab tapered secondshoulder engaging the surface below the adjacent wall and below thesecond hinge step upon the inserted third compact disc storage platereaching the position generally perpendicular to the floor and theadjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to therelaxed wall position and semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of thethird compact disc support plate from the position generallyperpendicular to the floor in the absence of force applied to the thirdcompact disc support plate; and wherein the fourth hinge tabs eachfurther include a fourth hinge tab second arc surface extending from thefourth hinge tab first shoulder to a fourth hinge tab tapered secondshoulder, the fourth hinge tab second arc surface, upon a moving of aninserted fourth compact disc storage plate to a position generallyperpendicular to the floor, flexing an adjacent second hinge step wallfrom a relaxed second hinge step wall position to an outwardly flexedsecond hinge step wall position, the fourth hinge tab tapered secondshoulder engaging the surface below the adjacent second hinge step walland below the floor upon the inserted fourth compact disc storage platereaching the position generally perpendicular to the floor and theadjacent second hinge step wall returning from the outwardly flexedsecond hinge step wall position to the relaxed second hinge step wallposition and semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of the fourth compactdisc support plate from the position generally perpendicular to thefloor in the absence of force applied to the fourth compact disc supportplate.
 17. The method of claim 8, wherein the compact disc storage plateincludes a clearance slot therethrough positioned and dimensioned toallow clearance of an adjacent compact disc storage plate rosette whenan inserted compact disc storage plate is layered upon an adjacentinserted compact disc storage plate or is layered upon the floor.
 18. Acompact disc package for portable storage, comprising: a walledenclosure, the walled enclosure having a floor and a wall enclosing anextremity of the floor; and a compact disc storage plate adaptable forholding a compact disc, the compact disc storage plate being pivotallymounted within the walled enclosure.
 19. The compact disc package ofclaim 18, further comprising: the compact disc storage plate beingpivotally mounted within the walled enclosure by a hinge joining an edgeof the compact disc storage plate with an interior surface within thewalled enclosure.
 20. The compact disc package of claim 18, furthercomprising: the floor being adaptable for holding a first compact discand having hinge slots through the floor adjacent the wall; and thecompact disc storage plate being adaptable for holding a second compactdisc and having hinge tabs at a plate end, the compact disc storageplate being pivotally mounted to the floor at the hinge slots by thehinge tabs engaging the hinge slots.
 21. The compact disc package ofclaim 20, further comprising: a second compact disc storage plateadaptable for holding a third compact disc and having second plate hingetabs at a second plate end; and second hinge slots through the floor,the second hinge slots being located adjacent the wall; the secondcompact disc storage plate being pivotally mounted to the floor at thesecond hinge slots by engaging the second hinge tabs into the secondhinge slots, the second compact disc storage plate being layerable overthe first compact disc plate.
 22. The compact disc package of claim 20,wherein: the hinge slots each provide an access to a surface below theadjacent wall below the floor; and the hinge tabs each include a hingetab insert tip for guiding a hinge tab into a hinge slot, the hinge tabinsert tip having an arc surface extending to a first shoulder, the arcsurface upon hinge tab insertion flexing the adjacent wall from arelaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wall position, the firstshoulder engaging the surface below the adjacent wall below the floorupon insertion of the first shoulder through the hinge slot and theadjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to therelaxed wall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotallyattached compact disc support plate from the floor.
 23. The compact discpackage of claim 22, wherein the hinge tabs each further include asecond arc surface extending from the first shoulder to a tapered secondshoulder, the second arc surface, upon a moving of an inserted compactdisc support plate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor,flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardlyflexed wall position, the tapered second shoulder engaging the surfacebelow the adjacent wall and below the floor upon the inserted compactdisc support plate reaching the position generally perpendicular to thefloor and the adjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexed wallposition to the relaxed wall position and semi-rigidly preventingdisengagement of the compact disc support plate from the positiongenerally perpendicular to the floor in the absence of force applied tothe compact disc support plate.
 24. The compact disc package of claim18, wherein the compact disc storage plate includes a clearance slottherethrough positioned and dimensioned to allow clearance of anadjacent compact disc storage plate rosette when an inserted compactdisc storage plate is layered upon an adjacent inserted compact discstorage plate or is layered upon the floor.
 25. A compact disc packagefor portable storage, comprising: a walled enclosure, the walledenclosure having a floor and a wall enclosing an extremity of the floor;a plurality of compact disc storage plates, each compact disc storageplate being adaptable for holding a compact disc; each compact discstorage plate being pivotally mounted within the walled enclosure. 26.The compact disc package of claim 25, wherein each compact storage plateis pivotally moveable to a position within the walled enclosure suchthat a second compact disc storage plate is layered upon a first compactdisc storage plate, a third compact disc storage plate is layered uponthe second compact disc storage, a fourth compact disc storage plate islayered upon the third compact disc storage plate, and so forth.
 27. Thecompact disc package of claim 25, further comprising: each compact discstorage plate being pivotally mounted within the walled enclosure by ahinge joint joining an edge of the compact disc storage plate with aninterior surface within the walled enclosure.
 28. The compact discpackage of claim 25, further comprising: the floor being adaptable forholding a first compact disc and having a first hinge step adjacent thewall, the first hinge step having first hinge slots through the firsthinge step, the floor also having second hinge slots on the flooradjacent the hinge step; a first compact disc storage plate adaptablefor holding a second compact disc and having first plate hinge tabs at afirst plate end; and a second compact disc storage plate adaptable forholding a third compact disc and having second plate hinge tabs at asecond plate end; the first compact disc storage plate being pivotallymounted to the first hinge step by engaging the first plate hinge tabsinto the first hinge slots; and the second compact disc storage platebeing pivotally mounted to the floor by engaging the second plate hingetabs into the second hinge slots.
 29. The compact disc package of claim28, further comprising: a third compact disc storage plate adaptable forholding a fourth compact disc and having third plate hinge tabs at athird plate end; a fourth compact disc storage plate adaptable forholding a fifth compact disc and having fourth plate hinge tabs at afourth plate end; a second hinge step, the second hinge step havingthird hinge slots through the second hinge step, the third hinge slotsbeing located adjacent the wall; and fourth hinge slots on the flooradjacent the second hinge step; the third compact disc storage platebeing pivotally mounted to the second hinge step by engaging the thirdplate hinge tabs into the third hinge slots; and the fourth compact discstorage plate being pivotally mounted to the floor by engaging thefourth plate hinge tabs into the fourth hinge slots.
 30. The compactdisc package of claim 28, wherein: the first hinge slots each provide anaccess to a surface below the adjacent wall below the hinge step; thesecond hinge slots each provide an access to a surface below the firsthinge step and below the floor; the first hinge tabs each include afirst hinge tab insert tip for guiding a first hinge tab into a firsthinge slot, the first hinge tab insert tip having a first hinge tab arcsurface extending to a first hinge tab first shoulder, the first hingetab arc surface upon the first hinge tab insertion flexing the adjacentwall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wall position,the first hinge tab first shoulder engaging the surface below theadjacent wall below the first hinge step upon insertion of the firsthinge tab first shoulder through the first hinge slot and the adjacentwall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxedwall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotally attachedfirst compact disc support plate from the first hinge step; and thesecond hinge tabs each include a second hinge tab insert tip for guidingthe second hinge tab into a second hinge slot, the second hinge tabinsert tip having a second hinge tab arc surface extending to a secondhinge tab first shoulder, the second hinge tab arc surface upon thesecond hinge tab insertion flexing an adjacent first hinge step wallfrom a relaxed first hinge step wall position to an outwardly flexedsecond hinged step wall position, the second hinge tab first shoulderengaging the surface below the second hinged step wall below the floorupon insertion of the second hinge tab first shoulder through the secondhinge slot and the adjacent first hinge step wall returning from theoutwardly flexed first hinge step wall position to the relaxed firsthinge step wall position and preventing disengagement of the pivotallyattached second compact disc storage plate from the floor.
 31. Thecompact disc package of claim 30, wherein the first hinge tabs eachfurther include a first hinge tab second arc surface extending from thefirst hinge tab first shoulder to a first hinge tab tapered secondshoulder, the first hinge tab second arc surface, upon a moving of aninserted first compact disc storage plate to a position generallyperpendicular to the floor, flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxedwall position to an outwardly flexed wall position, the first hinge tabtapered second shoulder engaging the surface below the adjacent wall andbelow the first hinge step upon the inserted first compact disc storageplate reaching the position generally perpendicular to the floor and theadjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexed wall position to therelaxed wall position and semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of thefirst compact disc support plate from the position generallyperpendicular to the floor in the absence of force applied to the firstcompact disc support plate; and wherein the second hinge tabs eachfurther include a second hinge tab second arc surface extending from thesecond hinge tab first shoulder to a second hinge tab tapered secondshoulder, the second hinge tab second arc surface, upon a moving of aninserted second compact disc storage plate to a position generallyperpendicular to the floor, flexing an adjacent first hinge step wallfrom a relaxed first hinge step wall position to an outwardly flexedfirst hinge step wall position, the second hinge tab tapered secondshoulder engaging the surface below the adjacent first hinge step walland below the floor upon the inserted second compact disc storage platereaching the position generally perpendicular to the floor and theadjacent first hinge step wall returning from the outwardly flexed firsthinge step wall position to the relaxed first hinge step wall positionand semi-rigidly preventing disengagement of the second compact discsupport plate from the position generally perpendicular to the floor inthe absence of force applied to the second compact disc support plate.32. The compact disc package of claim 29, wherein: the third hinge slotseach provide an access to a surface below the adjacent wall below thesecond hinge step; the fourth hinge slots each provide an access to asurface below the second hinge step and below the floor; the third hingetabs each include a third hinge tab insert tip for guiding a third hingetab into a third hinge slot, the third hinge tab insert tip having athird hinge tab arc surface extending to a third hinge tab firstshoulder, the third hinge tab arc surface upon the third hinge tabinsertion flexing the adjacent wall from a relaxed wall position to anoutwardly flexed wall position, the third hinge tab first shoulderengaging the surface below the adjacent wall below the second hinge stepupon insertion of the third hinge tab first shoulder through the thirdhinge slot and the adjacent wall returning from the outwardly flexedwall position to the relaxed wall position and preventing disengagementof the pivotally attached third compact disc support plate from thesecond hinge step; and the fourth hinge tabs each include a fourth hingetab insert tip for guiding the fourth hinge tab into a fourth hingeslot, the fourth hinge tab insert tip having a fourth hinge tab arcsurface extending to a fourth hinge tab first shoulder, the fourth hingetab arc surface upon the fourth hinge tab insertion flexing an adjacentsecond hinge step wall from a relaxed second hinge step wall position toan outwardly flexed second hinged step wall position, the fourth hingetab first shoulder engaging the surface below the second hinged stepwall below the second hinge step upon insertion of the fourth hinge tabfirst shoulder through the fourth hinge slot and the adjacent secondhinge step wall returning from the outwardly flexed second hinge stepwall position to the relaxed second hinge step wall position andpreventing disengagement of the pivotally attached fourth compact discstorage plate from the floor.
 33. The compact disc package of claim 32,wherein the third hinge tabs each further include a third hinge tabsecond arc surface extending from the third hinge tab first shoulder toa third hinge tab tapered second shoulder, the third hinge tab secondarc surface, upon a moving of an inserted third compact disc storageplate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor, flexing theadjacent wall from a relaxed wall position to an outwardly flexed wallposition, the third hinge tab tapered second shoulder engaging thesurface below the adjacent wall and below the second hinge step upon theinserted third compact disc storage plate reaching the positiongenerally perpendicular to the floor and the adjacent wall returningfrom the outwardly flexed wall position to the relaxed wall position andsemi-rigidly preventing disengagement of the third compact disc supportplate from the position generally perpendicular to the floor in theabsence of force applied to the third compact disc support plate; andwherein the fourth hinge tabs each further include a fourth hinge tabsecond arc surface extending from the fourth hinge tab first shoulder toa fourth hinge tab tapered second shoulder, the fourth hinge tab secondarc surface, upon a moving of an inserted fourth compact disc storageplate to a position generally perpendicular to the floor, flexing anadjacent second hinge step wall from a relaxed second hinge step wallposition to an outwardly flexed second hinge step wall position, thefourth hinge tab tapered second shoulder engaging the surface below theadjacent second hinge step wall and below the floor upon the insertedfourth compact disc storage plate reaching the position generallyperpendicular to the floor and the adjacent second hinge step wallreturning from the outwardly flexed second hinge step wall position tothe relaxed second hinge step wall position and semi-rigidly preventingdisengagement of the fourth compact disc support plate from the positiongenerally perpendicular to the floor in the absence of force applied tothe fourth compact disc support plate.
 34. The compact disc package ofclaim 25, wherein the compact disc storage plate includes a clearanceslot therethrough positioned and dimensioned to allow clearance of anadjacent compact disc storage plate rosette when an inserted compactdisc storage plate is layered upon an adjacent inserted compact discstorage plate or is layered upon the floor.
 35. The method of claim 2,wherein the interior surface is a floor recess adaptable for holding thefirst compact disc; and wherein the compact disc storage plate has aplate recess adaptable for holding the second compact disc.
 36. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the second compact disc storage plate has asecond plate recess adaptable for holding the third compact disc. 37.The method of claim 8, wherein the floor includes a floor recessadaptable for holding the first compact disc; and wherein each compactdisc storage plate has a plate recess adaptable for holding a compactdisc.
 38. The method of claim 4, wherein the second compact disc storageplate has a second plate recess adaptable for holding the third compactdisc.
 39. The compact disc package of claim 20, wherein the interiorsurface is a floor recess adaptable for holding the first compact disc;and wherein the compact disc storage plate has a plate recess adaptablefor holding the second compact disc.
 40. The compact disc package ofclaim 21, wherein the second compact disc storage plate has a secondplate recess adaptable for holding the third compact disc.
 41. Thecompact disc package of claim 25, wherein the floor includes a floorrecess adaptable for holding the first compact disc; and wherein eachcompact disc storage plate has a plate recess adaptable for holding acompact disc.
 42. The compact disc package of claim 4, wherein thesecond compact disc storage plate has a second plate recess adaptablefor holding the third compact disc.
 43. The method of claims 1 or 8,wherein the walled enclosure includes an attached cover.
 44. The compactdisc package of claim 18 or 25, wherein the walled enclosure includes anattached cover.